Channel of Blessing

Philippians 1:21-25For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live in the flesh, if this to me is fruit for my work, then I do not know what I will choose. But I am constrained between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for this is far better; But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.  And being confident of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of the faith.

God's central work is to work Himself in Christ into His chosen people, to constituted them with Himself that they may become one with Him. God's desire is to gain us. He is not after our works, He is after us. Once He gains us, we become His works. Our person is more important than our works. What we are is far more important than what we can do. After all, what matters most is our person. If we are proper, whatever we do will also be proper. But to be a proper person, God must gain us first. To gain us, He is working in us by dispensing His life in all possible ways; through His speaking in the Son through the word, through our fellowship with our fellow members in the Body, through us passing through circumstances, through persons, matters and things.

Once our person is gained by the Lord, we become God's works. Whatever we do, wherever we are, whenever we work, God has a way to work through us. Then we can become a channel of blessing. 

Paul's testimony to the church in Philippi is very striking. Though he could have preferred to be with the Lord and rest eternally, his burden for the saints outweigh his personal choice. He would rather remain in the flesh for the sake of the saints for their progress. This proofs his being gained by the Lord and his usefulness to the saints and the churches. In fact, he became a channel of blessing to the saints and to the churches.

Well, this is Paul, the Apostle of the Bible. What about us? What about me? Today, can we say the same as Paul? Are we a blessing to the saints and to the churches? Are we a blessing as we ought to be? These are questions we are poised to ponder upon.

I was so much touched, perhaps, convicted, as I listened to the Lord's speaking through Brother Ron Kangas as I delved into the message of the recent ITERO training. My heart yearned for more grace from the Lord that I could be dealt with in all possible ways to become a channel of blessing to the saints and the churches. As of today, I have no confidence to say if I were a blessing to anyone. Only the Lord knows, who I really am, what I really am, to Him and to the saints. Whether I fall short of the standard of God or not, I do pray desperately, "Lord, gain me! Make me a channel of blessing!"

Hearing testimonies of many brothers, elders and coworkers, not being a channel of blessing scared me to death. Brother Ron was very frank in calling spade a spade and charged the saints to open to the Lord for His divine dispensing and become a channel of blessing, wherever we serve or whoever we serve. Definitely, I do not want to be a burden to anyone nor to any church. Therefore, I must exercise to turn to the Lord desperately and plead for His grace and mercy, that I be trainable, blendable, and buildable in His building work. And become a channel of blessing.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith,that you, being rooted and grounded in love.

In line with this burden is also the taking of Christ as my person by allowing Him to make His home in my heart, to make my heart His dwelling place where He has the full right to access, touch, and mend every avenue of my inward being. Though I may peculiarly try to reserve some corner in my heart for myself, I must fully open to the Lord that He may gain every inch within me; to let Him work His works into me. Only when He works into me thoroughly and gain me fully, then can He become my person. This is also my need today. 

Lord, make me a channel of blessing! Work into me, gain me, and be my person!